Bear Town Micro Crew Lightweight with Cushion Sock - Women's

Darn Tough, a family-owned American manufacturer, has been knitting socks in the Green Mountains for 40 years. Every step of the knitting process for their end-use-specific socks happens locally in Northfield, Vermont. The brand's backyard serves as the perfect testing ground to create the finest Premium All Weather Performance Socks, as the team skis, snowboards, hikes, bikes, and runs in the most unforgiving climate in the lower 48.

The socks are made with carefully chosen and tested materials to meet Darn Tough's rigorous durability standards. The brand currently uses three types of fiber per sock - natural and synthetic fibers. Merino wool is the most important and relied upon fiber, accounting for 56% of Darn Tough's yarn consumption by weight last year. For many years, the brand has prioritized the use of Merino wool exclusively from sheep that have not been exposed to the practice of mulesing. In 2019, Darn Tough made a commitment to support the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and shift 100% of its wool supply to RWS-certified Merino wool.

RWS is a voluntary standard with strict guidelines to protect animal welfare and adhere to progressive, sustainable farm and land management practices while maintaining traceability throughout the entire supply chain. Although the market share for RWS is only estimated at ~1% of global wool production, the number of certified sources has grown substantially over the last couple of years. Today, 100% of the wool procured by Darn Tough is RWS-certified.

Darn Tough also uses REPREVE, a nylon 6 fiber made from pre-consumer industrial waste that would otherwise be landfilled or downcycled. Using REPREVE instead of virgin nylon allows the brand to offset the use of crude oil, benzene, cyclohexane, and other harmful hydrocarbons involved in the production of virgin fiber. While recycled nylon accounted for only 4% of Darn Tough's nylon consumption last year, the brand is actively working with its suppliers to source more recycled nylon to incorporate it across its product lines.

In addition to Merino wool and recycled nylon, Darn Tough utilizes Lycra to provide elasticity, strength, and form-fitting comfort. Spandex accounts for no more than 5% of the fiber used in the brand's finished products, but it represented 27% of the raw materials procured last year. Darn Tough is primarily focused on converting virgin nylon and polyester to recycled alternatives, and is also looking for functional, recycled spandex alternatives.

Darn Tough's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its use of natural and recycled materials, as well as its local manufacturing approach in Northfield, Vermont. The brand aims to improve the well-being of its community by continuously reducing its environmental impacts while producing the most comfortable, durable, and best-fitting socks.

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